Commercial Grade

Commercial vs Residential

Despite some claims not all solar lighting products pass the suitable for commercial application test, so how do you know if a claim is fact or fake?

What defines a solar light suitable for Commercial Applications?

When choosing a solar lighting product for use in commercial applications, always select an industrial grade manufactured product like the SBL product range.

Industrial-grade products are designed to survive in harsh environments with extreme temperature fluctuations and are developed by a limited number of innovative manufacturers like SBL to be fit for purpose, which means they consistently deliver reliability and long operational life cycles across a wide range of applications and environments.

How do you know if a product is made for Commercial Applications?

A simple way to tell the quality of a product is to look at its warranty policy as an example.

  • residential lighting is typically covered for one to five years and excludes the battery and pole.
  • whereas lighting for commercial use starts from 10 years and includes every component and performance.

The fabrication process, raw materials, and components used are some of the things that differentiate products which are suitable for Commercial Applications, and why some products can offer double the warranty term of another.

Another important factor is the solar power system design of solar lighting products. This is most crucial for ensuring a reliable and compliant lighting outcome with a long sustainable operational life.

The solar power system design should have a minimum of 3 days “REAL” battery autonomy, which is defined as, the time during which the load can be met with the battery alone, without any solar inputs, starting from a “fully charged” battery state.

This basic calculation formula for “REAL” battery autonomy will get you started on ensuring the product you’re considering for your commercial application is fit for purpose.

You will require the following specification data which should be readily available in the product brochure or website

  • light (luminaire) wattage,
  • battery voltage
  • battery Ah capacity

Here is an example of product specifications from the website and marketing brochure of a solar bollard light manufacturer claiming their solar lights are suitable for Commercial Applications.

  • 4W light (luminaire),
  • 3.2V LiFePO4 battery with 12Ah (12000mAh) capacity
  • 3-4 rainy days autonomy

Here is the calculation formula to see if the claim of 3-4 days autonomy is valid:

  • Divide the light (luminaire) wattage, by the battery voltage.
  • 4W light / 3.2V battery = 1.25Ah is the current draw.
  • Next research how many hours there are between dusk and dawn for your location mid-winter.
  • We will use 13.57 hours based on Miami Florida mid-winter runtimes for this example.
  • Multiply the current draw by the total hours it will need to operate for a one-night cycle.
  • 1.25Ah x 13.57hrs = 16.96Ah – This is the total Ah used through this one-night cycle.
  • Divide the solar lights total battery Ah capacity by the calculated total Ah used through this one-night cycle.
  • 12Ah / 16.96Ah = 0.71 days autonomy

This is clearly a failure, and the claim of 3-4 rainy days autonomy by this solar bollard light manufacturer is misleading.

To achieve a “REAL” battery autonomy of 3 days minimum, this solar bollard light manufacturer should have either of the following product specifications based on the luminaire wattage and battery:

  • 4W light (luminaire) with a 3.2V LiFePO4 battery with 51Ah (51000mAh) capacity, or
  • 0.96W light (luminaire) with a 3.2V LiFePO4 battery with 12Ah (12000mAh) capacity


Fact or Fake Marketing

Buyers should be aware that some manufacturers will make misleading and inflated claims about inferior products to pass them off as suitable for commercial use.

Here are some of the things to look for that help you identify products that are not commercial grade:

  • The price is much cheaper than other known quality brands.
  • They promote a much higher LED wattage and lumen output than other known quality brands.
  • The warranty term is 5 years or less.
  • When you ask a specific technical question, they do not answer in full or back it with evidence.
  • Their marketing images are nothing like the real product received.
  • They say the battery will operate between -40oC and 80oC. -40oC is not possible.
  • The manufacturer promotes their product as VANDAL PROOF or UNBREAKABLE. Buyer beware!